Come Sunday, two rikishi participating in sumo's makunouchi division at the Kyushu Basho down in Fukuoka will attract much of the media spotlight, and interest from fans.
The first is, of course, the current sole yokozuna Hakuho, as he attempts to break the long-standing time record of 69 undefeated bouts set by Showa-era yokozuna Futabayama, almost three quarters of a century ago. Hakuho must win his first seven bouts to equal the record as he is now 62 unbeaten. An untarnished record as far in as "nakabi," the middle Sunday, would then guarantee him top slot on the all time list of undefeated records in sumo.
The second is local Kyushu boy Kaio. An ozeki for an incredible 62 basho since September, 2000 Kaio has really just been hanging onto the rank courtesy rather pathetic — for ozeki — primarily 8-7 or 9-6 winning records for the past six years.